Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
When you think of factors that prematurely age you, your mind probably turns to smoking, overeating, or excessive stress. And if you've been following the news, you might add tanning to the list (it makes you more susceptible to skin cancer - and we won't even get started on the wrinkles and sun spots.) But what you might not know is that your exercise patterns, listening habits, and even your cooking style can negatively affect your life. Luckily, you can make changes. Read on for tips from Leslie Quander Wooldridge at U.S. News, on how to counteract these six surprising behaviors that age you...
Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
Overheating your food
Think twice before constantly grilling and frying your meals. Foods cooked at high temperatures can produce compounds that increase inflammation, which damages the body's cells and is increasingly fingered as a driver of many diseases, such as cancer. The highest levels of these compounds, called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), are in fatty foods and meats (think steak), while the lowest levels are in carbohydrate-rich foods like vegetables, says Melina Jampolis, a physician nutrition specialist and author of The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life. "Longer cooking time, higher heat, and less moisture during cooking affect levels formed," she explains. Just like the acronym states, AGEs are thought to speed up the aging process, and they have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other age-related diseases, she says. Try cutting back on fast food, processed-packaged foods, and higher-fat meats, and eating fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants, like grapefruit and spinach, to prevent the formation of AGEs, she says. (Drinking tea and a little red wine counts, too.) Also helpful: Cooking foods at lower temperatures for longer periods of time, and increasing moisture during cooking. So steam that shrimp instead of sauteing it!
More from U.S. News: How 5 longevity researchers stave off aging
Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
Running uphill or up stairs
Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
Listening to loud music and loud noises
Yes, blasting your favorite songs is fun, but if you keep doing it, you may not get to enjoy those tunes in a few years. That's because loud noises can put you at risk for premature hearing loss, with sounds louder than 85 decibels able to cause permanent loss, reports the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. A blow dryer is 80 to 90 decibels, the subway is 90 decibels, and the maximum output of some MP3 players is 110 decibels, ASHA reports. In fact, MP3 players pose a serious hazard to hearing to which teens are especially vulnerable, according to recent research from Tel Aviv University. To enjoy music for years to come, listen to your MP3 player at half volume, ASHA advises. And if you don't have protection, like ear plugs, don't expose yourself to loud noises for prolonged periods.
More from U.S. News: Is your job killing you? How work influences longevity
Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
Bad posture when using tech devices
Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things
Not maintaining your balance
As we age, we lose our balance, which can spell falls and fractures. (Each year, more than 1.6 million older Americans land in the emergency room because of fall-related injuries, according to the National Institute on Aging.) "Balance goes unnoticed until it's gone," says Lorraine Maita, a New Jersey-based internist and author of Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier. But you don't have to lose it. To avoid being off-balance before your time, "try sports that require agility, like tennis," she says. Stability balls, yoga, and dance are also good bets.
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Forever young? Not if you do these 6 things